Nude sketches of the figure of King Sigismund I and Hetman Tarnowski in the painting ‘The Upbringing of Sigismund Augustus’ 1861

This 1861 pencil drawing by Józef Simmler is a preparatory sketch for his larger painting, ‘The Upbringing of Sigismund Augustus.’ The drawing depicts the figures of King Sigismund I and Hetman Tarnowski, both rendered in the nude. Simmler, a Polish artist working in the 19th century, was known for his historical paintings and portraits. The study for ‘The Upbringing of Sigismund Augustus’ highlights Simmler's focus on anatomical detail and his exploration of historical figures through a realistic lens.